Shell Catalysts & Technologies announces collaboration with Licella to develop global low-carbon biomass-to-biofuel commercial solutions
September 2024, London, Â鶹´«Ă˝: Shell Catalysts & Technologies and Australian-based biotechnology company Licella have formed a new upgrading technology collaboration to develop a low-carbon, integrated solution for converting biomass into advanced biofuels. This initiative aims to unlock a new value chain for the production of low-carbon fuels, addressing growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
By Shell Catalysts & Technologies
The collaboration combines Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ hydroprocessing technology and expertise with Licella’s Cat-HTR™ (Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor) technology, an advanced form of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) that converts biomass into low-carbon biocrude. Shell’s technology will upgrade this biocrude into a refined, low-carbon fuel. As part of the agreement, and assuming successful development, Shell Catalysts & Technologies will be the exclusive global upgrader for the biocrude produced by Licella’s owned and operated units.
Elise H. Nowee, President, Shell Catalysts & Technologies, said: “We’re excited to be working with Licella on this important initiative, which tackles significant challenges in the biomass-to-biofuels pathway, particularly in the conversion of renewable wood and agricultural biomass residues. By combining our expertise in hydroprocessing with Licella’s innovative technology in this field, our collaboration aims to advance the economical production of sustainable, low-carbon fuels on a commercial scale.”
Len Humphreys, Executive Chairman, Licella, commented: “This collaboration with Shell Catalysts & Technologies will allow us to take a significant step forward in delivering end-to-end biorefinery solutions. Together, we aim to create an economically viable and sustainable pathway for low-carbon fuels, helping to drive the global decarbonisation transition.”
Alan Nicholl, Chief Executive Officer, Licella, added: “Shell Catalysts & Technologies is the natural partner to spearhead Licella’s efforts in creating a new SAF solution to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry. Shell Catalysts & Technologies will also lead our efforts towards SAF certification ahead of planned commercial projects across the world, including in Queensland, Australia.”
For further details, please contact:
Shell Media Relations
Tel.: +31 (0)70 - 377 8750
Email: media-nl@shell.com
Notes to editors
About Shell Catalysts & Technologies
Shell Catalysts & Technologies exists to provide Shell and non-Shell businesses with the tools, technologies and insights that are needed to navigate the energy transition.
We are pushing boundaries in the energy transition space. For decades, we have been developing game-changing technological innovations to solve seemingly insurmountable challenges. Now we have, or are developing, a wide range of differentiated solutions that offer attractive decarbonisation opportunities, including biofuels, carbon capture and decarbonised (blue) hydrogen technologies.
What sets us apart is the knowledge we have gained from Shell’s corporate heritage as an operator of refineries and petrochemical plants around the world. It also gives us a unique perspective on how refiners can remain competitive.
Our world-class catalyst and research and development expertise has enabled us to establish an enviable track record for developing leading-edge zeolites and catalysts, advanced solvents and pioneering processes, and provides a strong foundation for our future technology development.
For more information, visit www.shell.com/ct.
About Licella
Since 2007, Licella has been a global pioneer in low-carbon technology around the world. Our patented Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR™) is the leading hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology globally and is transforming the low-carbon bioeconomy. Using the power of heated, pressurised water to sustainably produce high-grade advanced bio-oil from abundant waste “feedstock” that other technologies can’t process, Cat-HTR™ enables a pathway to advanced biofuels (including sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF) and sustainable plastic products (via advanced recycling). Through its transformative technology, Licella offers its partners a highly scalable, cost-efficient and low-carbon solution – one that has the power to advance decarbonisation and accelerate the global energy transition.
For more information, visit .
Shell Catalysts & Technologies is a network of independent technology companies including Shell Global Solutions, all within Shell plc. In this material, the expressions “Shell Catalysts & Technologies”, “Shell plc” and “Shell Global Solutions” are sometimes used for convenience where reference is made to these companies in general, or where no useful purpose is served by identifying a particular company.
The information contained in this material is intended to be general in nature and must not be relied on as specific advice in connection with any decisions you may make. The companies within Shell plc are not liable for any action you may take as a result of you relying on such material or for any loss or damage suffered by you as a result of you taking this action. Furthermore, these materials do not in any way constitute an offer to provide specific services. Some services may not be available in certain countries or political subdivisions thereof.
Copyright © 2024 Shell Global Solutions International B.V. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including by photocopy, recording or information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Shell Global Solutions International B.V.